Community Mental Health Services

Between May of 2019 and April of 2020, an additional 517 people received mental health services in Washtenaw County.  

The Fresh Start Clubhouse in Ann Arbor continues to offer mental health services even in the face of having to close their doors.  WEMU's Jorge Avellan tells us how they're continuing to aid their clients during the coronavirus pandemic.

This week on “In The Public Interest,” our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, WEMU’s Lisa Barry talks with the director of the Washtenaw County Children’s Services Department, Lisa Greco, as we continue our “Get to Know Your County Government" series.

Election Day is right around the corner, and voters in Washtenaw County will decide what has turned out to be a somewhat divisive ballot measure. It appears on the ballot as the “Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage.”  Those who favor passage of the 8-year, one mill tax say the more than $15 million  it would generate annually is essential to the future of policing at the intersection of mental health services.  Those who oppose it contend too much of the money is being directed inappropriately and may, in fact, be subject to legal challenge.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has approved language for a 1 mill tax proposal that will appear on the November ballot.  But amendments were made to the public safety and mental health services proposal before it was approved.